Fasting Associated with Decrease in Hypothalamic β-Endorphin

Abstract
In rats that were fasted for 2 to 3 days there was a decline in hypothalamic, but not pituitary, beta-endorphin. There was no change in pituitary or hypothalamic adrenocorticotropin content as a result of fasting. Endogenous opiates may be involved in physiological adaptation to fasting.